Nardpuncher
Rear Admiral
Thanks...yeah those are a couple of good examples. I wonder what the name for that kind of moustache was/is (we all call it The Hitler Moustache now I guess)
Did Anyone Of Your Relatives Fight on WWII?
- Thread starter JRS
- Start date
Thanks...yeah those are a couple of good examples. I wonder what the name for that kind of moustache was/is (we all call it The Hitler Moustache now I guess)
My maternal grandfather was a weapons engineer in the Wehrmacht and fought at the eastern front.
At some point he got captured and was held as a PoW in Yugoslavia.
After the war, he was released and lived 'till 1991.
He never really spoke about his experiences, but from what my grandmother told me, he'd often have nightmares about the war.
We still have an old pair of binoculars that he took from a dead russian soldier. They always creep me out a bit.
At some point he got captured and was held as a PoW in Yugoslavia.
After the war, he was released and lived 'till 1991.
He never really spoke about his experiences, but from what my grandmother told me, he'd often have nightmares about the war.
We still have an old pair of binoculars that he took from a dead russian soldier. They always creep me out a bit.
My father was in the 100th Infantry Division (US Army) in WWII. He fought along the Seigfried Line, and was one of the "Sons of Bitche".
In the Wehrmacht on the Eastern Front... but I don't know any specifics.
I had an uncle by marriage that was part of the Normandy invasion. He found it very difficult to talk about and only started letting us know about his experiences a couple of years before he died. He said that there was so much chaos and that he was so scared that he eventually hid in a hole and prayed. He had some grim experiences.
My maternal grandfather was in Italy and North Africa. He loved to tell the stories. When in Italy his unit adopted an Italian family that lost their home. My grandfather was one of those who could tell the story about how the Bible in his pocket stopped a bullet. He used to take photos and develop them and for others and made copies of all for himself. One of the photos was of Mussolini's hanging.
Here are a few pics of him:
Here are a few pics of him:
Nardpuncher
Rear Admiral
^^ Thanks for the pics! It's nice to see things like this...from someone you sort of 'know' (meaning how I know you in a way from this bbs)
You're welcome. I've a folder full here but these were the only ones I could identify my grandfather in. There is a pic of a huge crater that I think is him in it. It was a bomb that went off just outside where he was camped. Some of the pics are of artillary and the places he was at. My uncle had put together a video CD for me and my brother of this pics with the music from Band of Brothers.
I'd like to see the Mussolini photo if it's possible (and permitted by board rules).
One of my grandmother's brothers fought on the African front in the Italian Army, he even got himself a medal after one of the campaigns we fought there.
Here he is at the Siege of Tobruk:
Here he is at the Siege of Tobruk:
Unfortunately I don't have it. I'm not sure where it is. There was, at one time, trouble, due to my aunt, and a lot of stuff was taken from the house. My uncle is now divorced and repairs are going on in the family. The rest of the photos are either at my mom's house or with my uncle. They are being looked for. I would love a copy of all the photos. These are just from the CD my uncle made. If it is found, and if allowed by board rules I will share it.
Both of my Grandfathers were in the Air Force. An Uncle was in the Navy (minesweepers if I recall).
My Uncle joined the Navy and served aboard the Bunker Hill and the Independence(lucky him!). He then did 2 tours in Korea, taking part in the landing at Inchon, and 3 tours of Nam. He retired after finding himself hiding under a dining room table aboard the Big Mo while North Vietnamese planes dumped bombs around his head. He always said that as he sat there he realized his 6 kids and his wife were more important than "playing at war". He passed away Saturday. I'll miss him.
My Grandfather was in the Army in WWII, although I've never heard what he did. He died when I was a baby.
Both my Grandmother's brothers fought. One was a tank commander and fought in the Battle of Okinawa. He actually wrote a historical fiction book several years back about what would've happened without the atomic bomb, a Mainland invasion of Japan that is.
Her other brother's experiences were tragic. He was In Germany, and forced to fire on young girls who had been told to throw grenades at the invading army. Way to go Nazis
.....
Both my Grandmother's brothers fought. One was a tank commander and fought in the Battle of Okinawa. He actually wrote a historical fiction book several years back about what would've happened without the atomic bomb, a Mainland invasion of Japan that is.
Her other brother's experiences were tragic. He was In Germany, and forced to fire on young girls who had been told to throw grenades at the invading army. Way to go Nazis
.....
My condolences.
My uncle fought in WWII and died in the Battle of the Seelow Heights. Apparently he stayed back with the wounded when the rest of his comrades retreated. At least that's what my father says he found out later. I'm not sure it's true. My father has never gotten over it, even after all these years. My uncle was 18 or 19 when he was killed.
Had two great uncles who flew as Lancaster pilots. One flew a complete tour with his tail gunner (as position not given to great life expectancy), After he died, the ashes where scattered at RAF Scampton where he flew from (but no it wasn't with 617 Squadron), The other survived a crash that damn near broke every bone inhis body.
my paternal grandfather flew as as wireless op/air gunner on Lancasters.
Had another great uncle who was a Sapper in North Africa but he never ever spoke of his time there.
my paternal grandfather flew as as wireless op/air gunner on Lancasters.
Had another great uncle who was a Sapper in North Africa but he never ever spoke of his time there.
According to my late grandfather, his father was an officer in the German army when Hitler rose to power. However, he was firmly anti-Nazi and used his position and family wealth to help many of the people persecuted to escape the country. And when he refused a direct order to take over the command of one of the labor camps, he and most of the family also used that escape route to come to the USA.
My grandfather's younger brother stayed in Germany however, as he had an exemption from serving in the military by virtue of being a prominent actor by the name of Wolfgang Preiss. Uncle Wolfgang was rather known for playing German officers in many films like The Longest Day, A Bridge Too Far, The Train, Von Ryan's Express and many more, as well as being the second man to play the villainous Dr. Mabuse.
My grandfather's younger brother stayed in Germany however, as he had an exemption from serving in the military by virtue of being a prominent actor by the name of Wolfgang Preiss. Uncle Wolfgang was rather known for playing German officers in many films like The Longest Day, A Bridge Too Far, The Train, Von Ryan's Express and many more, as well as being the second man to play the villainous Dr. Mabuse.
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